Don't miss the many great space images from the week of Oct. 5, including a private spacecraft's first International Space Station arrival, the spectacular launch of a brand-new private rocket and Comet ISON as seen from Mars orbit.

Researchers have developed an observational strategy that would distinguish between two very different types of atmospheres — one associated with super-Earth exoplanets, which may be capable of supporting life, and the other with lifeless mini-Neptunes.

An alien planet orbits a star other than our sun, and is sometimes called an "exoplanet." Learn more about the types of alien planets, including exoplanets and extrasolar planets, and get the latest news.

Ionic or plasma water may exist deep within Gliese 1214 b, a super-Earth with a water-rich atmosphere. Astronomers have determined that the atmosphere of super-Earth Gliese 1214 b is likely water-rich. However, this exoplanet is no Earth twin.

A toxic chemical in Martian dirt may obscure scientists' search for extraterrestrial life. Perchlorates on the Red Planet may cause reactions in Curiosity's soil samples that destroy organic compounds, researchers say.

Four of the five main databases that catalog exoplanet discoveries now list more than 900 confirmed alien worlds, and two of them peg the tally at 986 as of today (Sept. 26). So the 1,000th exoplanet may be spotted in a matter of days or weeks.

Future Mars explorers should be able to get all the water they need out of the red dirt beneath their boots, a new study suggests. NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has found that surface soil on the Red Planet contains about 2 percent water by weight.

The 24 awardees represent a diverse group of scientists, artists, writers, academics and activists. Seager was selected for her groundbreaking exoplanet research, which has led to ever-better models of the atmospheres and interiors of alien worlds.

The 1-ton Curiosity rover paused to examine a few rocks late last week, making the first of five planned science stops en route to the 3.4-mile-high Mount Sharp. The break was fruitful, returning further signs of long-ago flowing water.

Scientists have long debated the possibility of that the microbial seeds of life did not originate on Earth, but were perhaps delivered here from an alien source. A study finds new evidence to support the possibility of panspermia.

A team of British researchers says a cell fragment found high up in Earth's atmosphere likely came from outer space. But such an extraordinary claim requires much more convincing evidence, outside scientists say.

Water, water everywhere, and some of it fit to drink. That’s the picture of ancient Mars that has emerged during the past few months thanks to discoveries by NASA's Curiosity rover, which has been exploring the Red Planet since August 2012.

Alien moons around distant worlds may not be big enough to possess magnetic fields strong enough to protect extraterrestrial life from radiation that may blast it from deep space and nearby stars, researchers say.

A new model could indicate whether an exoplanet has a light but extended atmosphere, or a relatively thin and heavy atmosphere. This knowledge could help refine the targets in the search for planets like Earth capable of sustaining life.

MIT's Sara Seager talks about a new equation meant to help people think about the odds of finding signs of life on a distant planet in the next decade. The original Drake equation, drawn up in the 1960s, dealt only with intelligent alien life.